The problem or issue that will be addressed in this capstone project change proposal is the lack of adequate follow-up care for patients after discharge from the hospital. The designated patient population for this study is adult patients who have been discharged from the hospital after a specific medical condition or procedure.
The clinical problem that arises from this issue is that many patients do not receive proper follow-up care after leaving the hospital, leading to increased rates of readmission, complications, and poor patient outcomes. This lack of follow-up care can result in patients experiencing ongoing health problems or being unaware of how to properly manage their condition at home.
The nursing practice intervention that will be used to address this problem is implementing a comprehensive after-discharge follow-up program. This program would involve nurses reaching out to patients after discharge to assess their health status, provide education and support, and ensure that patients are properly following their care plans.
The comparison group for this intervention would be a patient population not currently receiving the nursing intervention, meaning they would not be contacted or receive any follow-up care after discharge. This comparison will help determine the impact of the nursing intervention on patient outcomes.
The timeframe needed to implement the change process would depend on the specific resources and infrastructure available in the healthcare facility. It would involve developing the necessary protocols and procedures for the after-discharge follow-up program, training nursing staff, and implementing the program on a gradual basis. Ideally, full implementation of the program would be achieved within six months to ensure that all discharged patients have access to the follow-up care.
The PICOT question that addresses this clinical nursing problem is as follows:
In adult patients who have been discharged from the hospital after a specific medical condition or procedure (P), does the implementation of a comprehensive after-discharge follow-up program by nursing staff (I) compared to no follow-up care (C) improve patient outcomes, reduce readmission rates, and enhance patient satisfaction (O) within a timeframe of six months (T)?
This question clearly identifies the clinical problem of inadequate follow-up care after hospital discharge and how it can result in a positive patient outcome. The proposed intervention of implementing a comprehensive after-discharge follow-up program by nursing staff is compared to a population not receiving any follow-up care. The timeframe of six months is specified to provide a timeframe for implementation of the change process.
In conclusion, the lack of adequate follow-up care for patients after discharge from the hospital is a significant clinical problem that can lead to poor patient outcomes. Implementing a comprehensive after-discharge follow-up program by nursing staff has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce readmission rates, and enhance patient satisfaction. The PICOT question provides a clear framework for the capstone project change proposal, guiding the research and intervention implementation process.
